Diving with Turtles in Floripa

The main reward here is a chance to meet sea turtles in the waters near Xavier Island without committing to a full certification course. You receive a briefing, equipment, boat transport, and close supervision, then spend time below the surface or snorkeling while the crew keeps the outing relaxed and small.

I like the maximum group size of eight, which gives the instructor room to stay close to beginners. I also like the mix of scuba and snorkeling, plus the simple fruit-and-water break after the water session. The main caution is that turtles, clear water, and a long session are never guaranteed. Weather, sea conditions, and the number of people booked can change the plan.

Key points to know before booking

• Turtle sightings are possible, not promised: You may see turtles, colorful fish, corals, crabs, eels, and belt fish, but marine life and visibility depend on conditions.
• Good for first-timers: The trip begins with a technical and safety briefing, and the underwater session is supervised by a qualified divemaster or instructor.
• Small boat outing: Groups are capped at eight, with transport from Marina Barra Náutica to the area around Xavier Island.
• Scuba and snorkeling share the trip: Some people use scuba equipment while others snorkel, making this suitable for mixed-experience pairs.
• A short morning schedule: Check-in begins at 8:00 am, and you should return between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.
• Underwater video costs extra: If you want a record of the experience, video is available for an additional R$100.

Meeting turtles near Xavier Island

This experience begins at Marina Barra Náutica in Barra da Lagoa, on Florianópolis’s east side. The setting matters: you are not heading out for a full-day boat cruise, but for a focused morning on the water with the main goal of seeing what lives below the surface.

The boat leaves at about 8:45 am and reaches Xavier Island around 9:15, though the timing depends on navigation conditions. The trip includes the Barra da Lagoa area and the natural pools near Barra da Lagoa, with the underwater session taking place around Xavier Island.

The attraction is simple and appealing. You get a boat ride, a beginner-friendly scuba introduction, and time to snorkel in one compact outing. If you are hoping to add a marine-life encounter to a Florianópolis beach stay, this is more practical than signing up for a full certification program.

The possible payoff includes turtles and colorful tropical fish. Specific sightings can include coral, crabs, eels, and belt fish. One person even described being able to gently touch a sea turtle, but you should not treat that as a promise or expect wildlife to behave on schedule.

What the morning schedule feels like

Your morning starts at 8:00 am with check-in at Marina Barra Náutica, located at R. Raulino Hermógenes Coelho, 35-47, Barra da Lagoa. Arriving on time matters because the briefing begins at 8:15, and the boat is scheduled to leave at 8:45.

The safety and technical talk is especially important if this is your first underwater session. You will need a basic level of fitness and to feel comfortable in the water. The trip is designed for beginners, but it is still a physical activity involving equipment, a boat ride, and time in open water.

After reaching the site at roughly 9:15, you prepare for about 30 minutes of scuba or snorkeling. The exact timing may feel shorter or longer depending on conditions and the number of participants. Some people use the scuba equipment while others remain on the surface with a mask and snorkel.

After the main session, you have time for more snorkeling and a little rest. Around 10:30, the crew provides fresh tropical fruit and water. It is a small detail, but it makes sense after time in the water and keeps the morning from feeling rushed.

The return to the marina is scheduled between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. The whole outing is listed as approximately four hours, but it can last from three to four hours depending on navigation and the number of people booked that day.

Why beginners get useful support

The strongest part of this experience is the personal attention. The underwater session is supervised by a qualified divemaster or instructor, and first-time participants receive instructions before entering the water.

One especially reassuring account names Eduardo as the instructor and Sérgio as the boat captain. Eduardo stayed close to a first-time participant and checked in regularly underwater. That kind of calm, direct support can make a major difference when you are still getting used to breathing through scuba equipment.

The crew also has a practical teaching style. If you do not understand a step, the instructions are repeated until they make sense. That is exactly what you want in a beginner session. A quick safety talk is useful, but clear explanations and patience matter more once you are actually in the water.

You should still be honest about your comfort level. The tour does not remove the need for basic fitness or confidence in the water. If you are nervous, tell the instructor before the boat leaves, not once you are already at the site.

Scuba for some, snorkeling for others

This is a smart setup for couples or friends with different levels of interest. One person can try scuba while another snorkels, and both can share the same boat trip and marine setting.

The underwater session is about 30 minutes, so this is an introduction rather than a full day of exploration. That shorter length is helpful if you are curious but unsure about scuba. It also means you should not book this expecting a long, technical expedition or repeated underwater routes.

The snorkeling time adds flexibility. If you are not ready for scuba, you can still look for fish and turtles from the surface. If you do use the scuba equipment, you can relax afterward and continue snorkeling if conditions and timing allow.

The experience is particularly useful for people from countries where even an introductory scuba session can require expensive training or certification. It lets you try the basic experience first. If you enjoy it, you may decide to pursue formal certification later.

The Barra da Lagoa setting

Barra da Lagoa Beach is the local starting point for the morning, and the natural pools near Barra da Lagoa are listed as stops. These places give the trip a stronger sense of location than a generic boat ride from an anonymous harbor.

The area combines a working marina setting with access to the sea. You begin close to the beach, then head toward the island and underwater site. The boat ride itself is part of the appeal, but navigation conditions can affect arrival and return times.

The natural pools are worth noting because they add variety to a morning focused on scuba. Depending on the day’s route and sea conditions, you may spend time around the pools as well as near Xavier Island. The supplied schedule does not guarantee a fixed amount of time at each stop, so think of them as parts of the overall route rather than separate, timed attractions.

This also means you should leave the rest of your day flexible. A 12:30 return is possible, but the outing may finish closer to 11:30, and weather or participant numbers can influence the schedule.

Marine life, visibility, and honest expectations

The title promises turtles, and turtles are a real possibility. Several accounts describe seeing one or more turtles, along with many colorful fish. Other sightings include coral, crabs, eels, and belt fish.

Still, wildlife encounters are not guaranteed. One participant had poor water conditions on the planned day and could not complete the underwater session. The crew arranged another attempt on a second day, which is a helpful response, but you should still understand that no operator can control sea life or visibility.

The water may not always be clear, and the range of marine life can vary. If you see a turtle, treat it as a fortunate encounter rather than the only measure of success. A calm session with fish and coral can still be worthwhile, especially if you are learning how scuba equipment feels for the first time.

This is also why the snorkeling option matters. If visibility is less than ideal below the surface, staying flexible gives you another way to enjoy the water. The best approach is to expect a chance to see marine life, not a guaranteed checklist.

What the $97.82 price includes

At $97.82 per person, the cost is reasonable if you want a compact, guided introduction rather than a bare boat transfer. The price includes the scuba equipment, boat transport to and from the site, professional supervision, all fees and taxes, water, and fresh tropical fruit.

That bundle removes several costs that can otherwise add up. You are not paying separately for the boat, basic equipment, or an instructor at the site. For a first attempt, that makes the price easier to justify.

The value is strongest for a beginner who wants the full structure: instruction, equipment, supervision, and a boat ride in one morning. It is less compelling if you only want to snorkel from shore, since the experience is built around the boat trip and supervised scuba option.

Underwater video is not included. It costs an additional R$100. Decide before the trip if recording the session matters to you, but do not assume the extra fee is part of the advertised price.

Group size, equipment, and comfort

The maximum group is eight people. That is small enough to avoid the feel of a crowded boat outing and gives the instructor a better chance to keep track of each participant.

The boat is described as small but safe. A smaller boat can make the trip feel more personal, though it may also feel less spacious than a large sightseeing vessel. If you are sensitive to motion or need lots of room, keep that in mind when choosing this outing.

Basic scuba equipment is supplied. You do not need to arrange your own mask, fins, or scuba set for the activity. The important preparation is personal: wear what you are comfortable moving in, arrive ready for water activity, and be clear with the instructor about your experience level.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Transport to Marina Barra Náutica is not included, so you must make your own way to Barra da Lagoa. The activity ends where it begins.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the activity is often booked about 21 days ahead, I would not leave it until the last minute if your Florianópolis schedule is fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

The trip requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the outing, or the minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. This flexibility is useful because sea conditions are one of the main factors affecting the experience.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for:

• First-time scuba participants who want close instruction
• Couples or friends where one person wants scuba and another prefers snorkeling
• Visitors who want a half-day water activity rather than a full-day cruise
• Families with older children who meet the physical and water-comfort requirements
• Anyone hoping to see turtles while accepting that wildlife is unpredictable

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed calm seas, fixed timing, or a long underwater session. I would also think twice if you are uncomfortable in the water or do not meet the basic fitness requirement.

The experience is most rewarding when you value the attempt itself: learning the equipment, seeing what appears below the surface, and sharing a small boat outing near Barra da Lagoa.

Should you book Diving with Turtles in Floripa?

I think this is a strong choice if you want an approachable introduction to scuba with a real chance of seeing turtles. The small group, patient instruction, supplied equipment, and mixed scuba-snorkeling format give it broad appeal.

Book it if you can keep your expectations flexible. You may see turtles, coral, fish, crabs, eels, and belt fish, but you may also face lower visibility or a weather-related change. At $97.82, the package offers fair value for a supervised morning with boat transport and equipment included.

If your priority is a guaranteed turtle encounter, no marine activity can honestly promise that. If your priority is a safe, friendly first try in the waters around Florianópolis, this outing deserves a place on your shortlist.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Marina Barra Náutica, at R. Raulino Hermógenes Coelho, 35-47, Barra da Lagoa, Florianópolis.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in begins at 8:00 am. The safety and technical briefing starts at 8:15 am, and the boat is scheduled to leave at about 8:45 am.

How long does the experience last?

The activity usually lasts about four hours, but it can take between three and four hours depending on navigation conditions and the number of participants. Return is scheduled between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.

Do I need scuba certification?

The experience is presented as a baptismal, beginner-focused session with instruction and supervision. You need a basic level of physical fitness and comfort in the water.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Turtles may be seen, but marine life and water visibility depend on conditions. The experience may include turtles, fish, coral, crabs, eels, or belt fish.

Is snorkeling available?

Yes. Some participants use scuba equipment while others snorkel, and the schedule includes time for snorkeling after the main session.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. A full refund is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.